Captain Worthington is injured in the battle of Trafalgar. Blinded by shrapnel, his life goes from being at the forefront of society to being almost cast off. He finds himself sitting with the wallflowers at a ball - something he doesn't take too kindly to. Miss Amelia Basingstoke has no dowry and enough dreadful relations to ensure that even on her third season, she is unmarried and a confirmed wallflower. Her only friend is a large boisterous dog of dubious character.

Selena Lockhart comes with neither fortune nor connections, and she knows better than to expect society to give her a welcome—especially after her father gambled away his fortune, precipitating the family’s sudden fall from grace and Selena’s betrothed to break off the engagement. It therefore comes as no surprise that her new neighbor, Sir Lucius, treats her with disdain. Why should he look beyond appearances when her own promises so little?

War hero Alistair Carsington really really loves women, and his romantic impulses have landed him in nearly as much danger as the Battle of Waterloo. To avoid his usual temptations and perhaps even repay the friend who saved his life, he's exiled himself to a place far from civilization - Derbyshire - in winter! Fate laughs at his good intentions and drives him straight into conflict with Miss Mirabel Oldridge, his match in tenacity, intelligence, and deviousness - who also happens to be wildly irresistible.

Anthony Russell, Earl of Lever, has to marry before his 30th birthday. That's what his father’s will dictates. A man who has always been socially awkward and at a loss of how to communicate easily with people is determined to marry to save his heritage. But he has no real idea of how to avoid making a blundering mess of the situation he is faced with.

Oliver Bailey - a mill owner who is looking for investment from the ton but certainly isn't looking for a wife. Baron Johnson - used appallingly by the young woman he's deeply in love with. Captain Peterson - a successful ship's captain who has at least one girl in every port. Mr. Lucas - a business rival to Oliver Bailey who has an ulterior motive no one else is aware of. Four stories intertwined in a way none could foresee. Their lives will never be the same.